Top challenges veterans experience after active duty

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

IT TAKES SEVEN MONTHS FOR VETERANS TO FEEL THEY’VE ADAPTED TO CIVILIAN LIFE AFTER ACTIVE DUTY, NEW RESEARCH SUGGESTS.

A NEW SURVEY OF 1,000 U.S. MILITARY VETERANS REVEALED THERE ARE AN AVERAGE OF THREE DIFFERENT MAJOR CHALLENGES ON THIS JOURNEY, INCLUDING FINDING A JOB (33%), PARTING WAYS WITH THEIR FRIENDS IN THE MILITARY (28%) AND FINDING A PURPOSEFUL CAREER (28%).

CONDUCTED BY ONEPOLL ON BEHALF OF SPORT CLIPS HAIRCUTS FOR ITS VFW’S “SPORT CLIPS HELP A HERO SCHOLARSHIP” PROGRAM, THE SURVEY ALSO FOUND THAT SIX IN 10 VETERANS ALREADY HAD LONG-TERM GOALS IN MIND AFTER LEAVING THE MILITARY.

THESE GOALS INCLUDED FINDING A PURPOSEFUL CIVILIAN JOB (56%), HOMEOWNERSHIP (52%), AND GETTING MARRIED AND HAVING CHILDREN (46%).

VETERANS’ BIGGEST NON-HEALTH-RELATED CHALLENGES IN TRANSITIONING TO CIVILIAN LIFE

• Finding a job - 33%
• Parting ways with my friends in the military - 28%
• Finding a purposeful career - 28%
• Absence of familiar routine/structure - 23%
• Pursuing educational goals - 15%
• Adjusting to providing basic necessities (e.g., food, clothing, housing) - 15%
• Lack of financial support - 14%
• Reconnecting with family - 11%
• Unfamiliarity with post-military programs/resources - 11%
• Finding a new identity - 9%
• Lack of family/community support - 5%

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 1,000 U.S. military veterans was commissioned by Sport Clips between Sept. 26 and Oct. 2, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).